Key case



March 24, 1959 r N. J. DUYN 2,878,664

KEY CASE Filed Jan. 31, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I. T 3 29F IG; 56 FIG. 2. 4

INVENTOR.

NICK J. DUYN.

HTTORNEY March'v24, 1959- N. J. DUYN 2,878,654

KEY CASE Filed Jan. 51, 1958 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I37 INVENTOR. 137 34 I36 12/ NICK J. DUYN- HTTORNEY.

KEY CASE Nick J. Duyu, Tucson, Ariz.

Application January 31, 1958, Serial No. 7,12,404 8 Claims. (Cl. 70456) My invention relates to a key case of the type in which United States a relatively small number of keys is completely housed 7 within the case but may be quickly released therefrom for use. Illustrative of such key cases are the structures disclosed in my prior Patents Nos. 2,467,614 and 2,778,217.

Key cases of the type disclosed are sometimes used as advertising novelties; and, while frequently relatively high-cost items are used for advertising and seasonal favors to customers, there is a considerably greater demand for items which can be produced inexpensively. Even Patented Mar. 24,

ice

Fig. 15 is an end elevational view looking at the right hand side of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 shows the keys ejected and ready for use; Fig. 17 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 1717 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged plan view of the key case with the keys projecting out of the case by pivoting around the key retainer;

Fig. 19 is an end elevational view looking at the right hand side of Fig. 18; and

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a'modification.

Looking now to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 through 11, the key case of my invention comprises side plates indicated generally by the reference characters 21. and 22 (see Figs. 8 and 9), two actuating, coiled compression springs 23, a horse shoe-shaped key retainer 24, and optionally a spacer or spacers as shown in Fig. 13 of my prior Patent No. 2,778,217. These identified parts, particularly the side plates 21 and 22, springs 23, and retainer 24, are quickly and inexpensively assembled to inexpensive items, however, if they are to have continued demand, must be functionally sound. While the structure of the later of my two patents can be produced at less expense than the structure of the former, it suflers somewhat by functional comparison, particularly after'it has been in continuous use for several months.

The principal object of my invention is the provision A Fig. l is a full scale side elevational view of the key:

case of my present invention, with the key retainer removed;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but looking at the opposite side of the key case;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view looking along the line 33 of Fig. 1; v Fig. 4 is an end elevational view looking along the line 4 -4 of Fig. 2;

M Fig. 5 is a plan view of Fig.1 enlarged to about double slze;

1 Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along? the line 66 of Fig. 5;

A Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of Fig. 5;

I Figs. 8 and 9 are enlarged isometric type viewsof the two plates which together form the key case. body, the views being taken from an angle to showlthe portions thereof which face each other and are within the key case when assembled; v

Figs. 10 and 11 show, respectively, one of the actuating springsand the key retainer; 1 ,Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of the key holder with keys supported therein and the key retainer in'assembled relation; V I

, Fig. 13 is an enlarged plan view of Fig.. 1 2;

hand side-0 F -.13;

form the complete case. For convenience plate 21 will be referred to as the front plate (see Figs. 1, 9, 12 and 16) and plate 22 the rear plate (see Figs. 2, 6, and 8). The front and rear plates, while generally similar, are'complementary to each other, being different in several details provided for their mutual cooperation to provide a unitary key case body.

Looking particularly at Fig. 9, the front plate 21 is a single-piece unit body formed preferably of plastic .by molding but capable of being formed of other materials and by other methods. This plate comprises a generally rectangular portion26, connected rounded portion 27Ifor receipt of the keyheadsjaind generally right-angular, top closure flange 28. Portions 26 and 27 lie inthe same plane and are preferably of uniform thickness throughout. Closure flange 28 is somewhat thickened with respect to portions 26 and 27 but has a relatively thin extension 29 alongthe length of its outer portion, thereby also forming a continuous contiguous shoulder 31. A hole 32 is pro vided in the portion 27 for receipt of the key retainer, and a recess 33 (Fig. l) for receiving an end of the key re'- tainer. Projecting upwardly at right angles to the portion 26 of the plate 21 are integral hinge members 34 and 36; each with a hinge pin or projection receiving hole 37; Adjacent the hinge members 34 and 36 but close to flange 28 are a pair of tubular spring guides and retainers 38 and 39. Plate 22 has a generally rectangular portion 41, rounded key head receiving portion 42, and flange 43 generally similar to the corresponding structures of plate 21 but complementary thereto. Flange 43 has a continuous extension 44 leaving a shoulder 46. A hole 47 and recess 48 (see Fig. 2) for the key retainer are also provided. Integral hinge members 49 and 51 are positioned to lie adjacent to but inside of hinge members 34 and 36 when the plates are assembled (note Fig. 6). Hinge members 49 and 51 also have oppositely facing pins or projections 52 which engage relatively snugly in the holes 37 and form a firm hinge connection between the two plates 21 and 22. Integral tubular spring guides and retainers 53 and 54 are positioned to align themselves with corresponding members 38 and 39 on plate 21 when the two plates are assembled.

The key case shown in Figs. 1-7 is simply and inexpensively assembled by placing the rear plate 22 on a flat horizontal surface, inserting a spring 23 in each of the top ends of springs 23. Conveniently a simple fix ture is provided for such alignment, the fixture also being formed to flex front plate 21 slightly and positively position bottom edges of members 34 and 36 outside members51 and 53. Continuous downward pressure will then'cause projections 52 to snap into holes'37 and retain the plates in assembled relation.

Forming the plates of'the plastic known in commerce asnylon, I have found that the overall thickness of the plates and their hinge members is optionally between about 45 and 65 thousandths of an inch, thus forming a very light but strong structure. Other parts of the plates are of corresponding thickness, the walls of the spring guide and retainer members being, for example, 20 to 25 thousandths of an inch. These dimensions have still other functions, as will be made clear herein below.

By reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 7 it will be clear'that the front and back plates 21 and 22 mutually pivot around a single fulcrum formed by the aligned projections 52 and holes 37 of their hinge members. The action of springs 23 is such as to bring the lower edges of the plates into contact with each other and form a relatively wide uniform slot 56 between the flange portions 28 and 43. This is the normal position of the parts before the keys are inserted.

Assuming three keys x, y and z are to be placed in the key case (Figs. 12-18), they are assembled by placing their heads between the two rounded portions 27 and 42 of the front and rear plates with the holes usually found in the heads of keys aligned with the retainer-receiving holes 32 and 47. The retainer 24 is then threaded through the assembly with its bight through the holes and then rotated until its ends snap into the recesses 33 and 48. Instead of the horse shoe-shaped retainer, any

suitable retainer may be used which will extend through holes 32 and 47, hold the keys in position and allow limited movement of the front and rear plates. Illustrative is the retainer 51 shown in Fig. 18 of my prior Patent No. 2,778,217. If necessary one or two spacers such as shown in Fig. 13 of my Patent No. 2,778,217 may be used to replace a like number of keys if two or one key, respectively, is to be attached.

It will be observed by reference to Figs. 13-15 as contrasted with Figs. 3-7 that when the keys are held be.- tween the plates, the spring biased movement of the front and rear plates around the pivot comprising their hinge members is not so great and the bottom edges of the plates do not come into contact. Also, the slot 56 (Fig. 13) is narrower than and tapers inwardly toward the end of the plate which holds the key heads. As Fig. 14 shows, the plates are held apart by the combined thickness of the heads of the keys. The lock-engaging'portion of the keys is narrower, however, and lies between the bottom edge of the plates and the contiguous hinge members which act as a stop (see Fig. 15). Thus, while the plates 21 and 22 move as solid bodies around a single pivot comprising the hinge members, they also can warp slightly so that each pair of hinge members acts as a separate, individually operated pivot.

To release the keys the plates 21 and 22 are squeezed between the thumb and finger, holding the case in the position shown in Figs. 13-15, until the flanges of the two plates engage. Actually the flange extension 29 engages shoulder 46, and extension 44 engages 31 as shown in Fig. 17. This action releases the ends of the keys x, y and z (Fig. 15) and at the same time frictionally disengages the heads of the keys so they can drop to the position shown in Fig. 16. All of the keys may be left extended, as shown in Fig. 18, or only one may be left out, the balance being returned to the case. It should be noted that when the keys are released, the individual pivot action discussed above is still further effective and the bottom portions of the plates near the key ends approach still closer together, as indicated in Fig. 19.

I explained how the front and back plates are. assembled, as by use of, a special jig orfixture toguide the:

hinge members 34 and 36 to the outside of the hinge members 49 and 51. Fig. 20 illustrates a minor modification in which the front and rear plates are in fragmentary longitudinal section showing their hinge members in elevation in the positions which they assume just prior to mutual attachment. In this figure the parts bear the same reference numbers as the parts shown in the prior embodiment with, however, the figure 1 appearing as a prefix. It will be seen that either one pair (or both pairs, if desired) of the hinge members may be tapered for easier location and attachment.

From an examination of the drawings it will be apparent that the hinge members of the front and rear plates are positioned closer to the flange or top edges of the plates than to the bottom edges, thus leaving a housing space between the hinge members and the bottom edge for the key shanks. The hinge members are also located entirely within the rectangular portions (26 and 41), allowing ample space in the projecting rounded portions (27 and 42) for the relatively larger key heads. The dotted line key position in Fig. 12 illustrates this relationship. While the relative dimensions may vary, the plates may be so dimensioned as to provide about 9 inch space between the bottom edges and the hinge members, about A inch across the hinge members, and about A inch between the hinge members and the top edge of the plates. The spring retainer and guide members are set between the flanges and hinge members (but offset longitudinally from the latter), to leave a distance of about inch between the center of the hinge fulcrum and the center of the spring guide so that the plates are always biased in a direction to force their bottom edges together. The biasing action under different conditions is shown particularly in Figs. 3, 4, 7, l5 and 17.

The relatively thin extensions 29 and 44 on the top flanges perform a double function. They engage shoulders 46 and 31, respectively, to limit pivotal movement of the front and rear plates when keys are released without applying such strain to the parts as to tend to pry the projections 52 out of the pivot hole 37 and disengage the plates. The extensions also overlap when the keys are held between the plates so that coins and the like cannot enter the space between the plates when the key case is in ones pocket or purse.

I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention in considerable detail so that those skilled in the art may understand the best manner of practicing the same. The scope of the invention, however, is defined bythe claims.

I claim:

1. A key case of the character described, comprising from and rear plates each having a generally rectangular key shank-receiving portion and offset rounded key headreceiving portion, a top flange generally continuouswith the rectangular portion, integral hinge members positioned generally adjacent the top flange and integral tubular spring retainers and guides between the hinge members and flange, each rounded portion having a hole for receipt of a key retainer, the hinge members on one said plate having pivot holes and the hinge members of the second plate having projections, the hinge members of one plate lying alongside and between the hinge members of the other plate so that the projections are held within the pivot holes and the plates maintained in assembled relation, and coil springs compressed in said spring retainers and guides to mutually pivot said plates in a direction to cause their bottom edges to engage.

2. A key case of the character described, comprising front and rear plates each having a generally rectangular key shank-receiving portion and rounded offset key headreceiving portion, a top flange generally continuous with' the rectangular portion, integral hinge members posi tioned generally adjacent the top flange and integral tubular spring retainers and guides between the hinge members and flange, each rounded portion having'a hole for receipt of a key retainer, said hinge members being shaped to mutually interlock and hold the front and rear plates in assembled relation, and coil springs compressed in said tubular spring retainer and guides to mutually pivot said plates in a direction to cause their bottom edges to engage.

3. A key case as defined in claim 2 wherein said top flanges are provided with overlapping projections to prevent coins and the like from entering between such projections.

4. A key case of the character described, comprising front and rear plates each having a generally rectangular key shank-receiving portion and a rounded key headreceiving portion, mutually interlocking hinge members within said rectangular portion, and spring means between said hinge members and top edges of the plates biasing said plates in a direction to cause bottom edges of said plates to engage, said rounded portions having openings for receipt of a key retainer.

5. A key case as defined in claim 4, including top flanges on said plates generally at right angles to the body of the plates and so dimensioned as to form a stop when said plates are pressed to move them about their said hinge members in a direction to compress the springs.

6. A key case as defined in claim 4, including top flanges on said plates generally at right angles to the body of the plates and overlapping extensions on said flanges leaving a shoulder on each flange for engagement of each such extension, said flanges acting as stops to limit mutual pivoting action around the hinge members, and the overlapping extensions preventing coins and the like from entering between the plates at the top edges thereof.

7. A key case as defined in claim 4, whereby said hinge members comprise a pair of hinge members on one plate with a generally central pivot hole and a pair of hinge members on the other plate having outwardly facing projections, the second mentioned hinge members lying alongside of and within said first mentioned hinge members with their projections held within the said pivot holes.

8. A key case as defined in claim 4, wherein said biasing means comprises coil springs compressed between the plates and having their ends secured in aligned tubulations integral with the plate bodies.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,198,110 Fischer Apr. 23, 1940 2,274,820 Bills Mar. 3, 1942 2,467,614 Duyn Apr. 19, 1949 2,778,217 Duyn Jan. 22, 1957 

